US20220228792A1

US20220228792A1 - Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

Info

Publication number: US20220228792A1
Application number: US17/578,025
Authority: US
Inventors: Joonggil JEONG
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2021-01-20
Filing date: 2022-01-18
Publication date: 2022-07-21
Also published as: KR20220105711A

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided that includes a cabinet having a refrigerating compartment cooled by a refrigerating compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment fan, and a freezing compartment cooled by a freezing compartment evaporator and a freezing compartment fan. A filler is provided on one of pair of doors to shield a gap between the pair of doors when the pair of doors are closed, a filler heater is provided inside the filler, and a controller is configured to control operations of the refrigerating compartment fan, the freezing compartment fan, the filler heater, and a compressor. When the refrigerating compartment evaporator performs a defrosting operation, the controller turns on the refrigerating compartment fan and the filler heater in state in that the compressor turns off so that heated air inside the refrigerating compartment is circulated to pass through the refrigerating compartment evaporator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0008178, filed in Korea on Jan. 20, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same.

2. Background

A refrigerator is a home appliance for storing foods in an internal storage space, which is shield by a door, at a low temperature by low temperature air. For this, the refrigerator is configured to accommodate the stored food in an optimum state by cooling the internal storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle.
In recent years, refrigerators have become increasingly multi-functional with changes of dietary lives and gentrification of products, and refrigerators having various structures and convenience devices for convenience of users and for efficient use of internal spaces have been released.
In addition, the refrigerator is a device to which power is always supplied, and refrigerators having various structures and control methods have been developed to reduce power consumption due to the nature of its use.
Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0238059, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for controlling defrosting of a refrigerator, in which, after a compressor is turned off, when a temperature inside a refrigerating compartment reaches a set temperature, a refrigerating compartment fan is turned on for a predetermined time to prevent frost from being frozen in an evaporator, thereby improving natural defrosting performance.
However, when an ice maker is disposed in a region of the refrigerating compartment, cold air for making ice flows from a freezing compartment to the ice maker. A duct through which the cold air flows passes through the region of the refrigerating compartment to affect the temperature inside the refrigerator at the corresponding position. In addition, even during an operation for the natural defrosting, the cold air having a low temperature is penetrated into the refrigerating compartment, and thus, the natural defrosting is not smoothly performed. Accordingly, there is a limitation in that defrosting reliability is deteriorated, as well as power consumption increases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the refrigerator with a door opened;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an arrangement of an inner case and an ice maker-side cold air passage of the refrigerator;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerating compartment door of the refrigerator;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a control signal in the refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating processes of performing a defrosting operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating processes of performing a defrosting operation of a refrigerator according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation state when a filler heater does not operate in the refrigerator according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation state when the filler heater operates in the refrigerator according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when components in the drawings are designated by reference numerals, the same components have the same reference numerals as far as possible even though the components are illustrated in different drawings. Further, in description of embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of well-known configurations or functions disturb understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.
In addition, the embodiment will be described with an example of a refrigerator configured with a single door for convenience of explanation and understanding, and it should be noted in advance that the present disclosure is applicable to all refrigerators provided with a door.
A direction will be defined prior to the explanation. In FIG. 1, a direction in which the door is disposed with respect to a cabinet is referred to as a front side, a direction in which the cabinet is disposed with respect to the door is referred to as a rear side, a direction toward a bottom surface on which the cabinet is installed is referred to as a downward side, and a direction away from the bottom surface on which the cabinet is installed is referred to as a upward side.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the refrigerator with a door opened. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an arrangement of an inner case and an ice maker-side cold air passage of the refrigerator.
A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes a cabinet 10 defining a storage space and a door 20 opening and closing the storage space of the cabinet 10. Here, an outer appearance of the refrigerator 1 may be defined by the cabinet 10 and the door 20.
The cabinet 10 may include an outer case 101 defining an outer surface and made of a metal material and an inner case 102 coupled to the outer case 101 to define the storage space in the refrigerator 1 and made of a resin material. In addition, an insulating material is filled between the outer case 101 and the inner case 102 to insulate the storage space inside the cabinet 10. Also, the storage space may be divided vertically based on a barrier 11 and may be constituted by an upper refrigerating compartment 12 and a lower freezing compartment 13.
A refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and a freezing compartment evaporator 131 may be provided in the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13 to independently cool the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13, respectively. The refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and the freezing compartment evaporator 131 may be connected to a compressor 34, and a refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 may be branched and supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and the freezing compartment evaporator 131.
A refrigerating compartment fan 122 and a freezing compartment fan 132 may be provided at sides of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and the freezing compartment evaporator 131, respectively. Thus, air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be circulated to pass (or pass through) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 by driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122, and the heat-exchanged air passing through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be supplied to the refrigerating compartment 12 to cool the refrigerating compartment 12 to a set temperature.
In addition, air inside the freezing compartment 13 may be circulated to pass (or pass through) the freezing compartment evaporator 131 by driving of the freezing compartment fan 132, and the heat-exchanged air passing through the freezing compartment evaporator 131 may be supplied to the freezing compartment 13 to cool the freezing compartment 13 to a set temperature.
The door 20 may include a refrigerating compartment door 21 and a freezing compartment door 22, which respectively independently open and close the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13. The refrigerating compartment door 21 and the freezing compartment door 22 may have structures that are capable of respectively opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13 through rotation thereof. For this, all the refrigerating compartment door 21 and the freezing compartment door 22 may be rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 through a hinge device 23. Also, the refrigerating compartment door 21 may be a French type door in which a pair of doors disposed on both left and right sides independently rotates.
A filler 26 may be provided on an end of the refrigerating compartment door 21 at sides of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21. The filler 26 may be configured to shield a space (or gap) between the refrigerating compartment doors 21 disposed on both left and right sides of the refrigerating compartment door 21 when the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed.
For this, the filler 26 may be provided at one end of the refrigerating compartment door 21, that is, at one end that is far from the end at which the hinge device 23 is mounted. In addition, the filler 26 may be rotatably mounted. Also, in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 is opened, the filler 26 may be in a folded state, and in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed, the filler 26 may be in a closed state to shield a gap between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21. For this, a filler guide 103 may be disposed at a front end of a top surface of the refrigerating compartment 12. The filler guide 103 may be disposed inside a center of the refrigerating compartment 12, and when the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed, the filler 26 may be inserted to guide the rotation of the filler 26.
A dispenser 24 and an ice maker 252 may be provided in the refrigerating compartment door disposed at one side of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21.
The dispenser 24 may be disposed on a front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 21, and a user may manipulate the dispenser 24 from the outside to dispense water or ice. Also, an ice making chamber 25 is provided above the dispenser 24.
The ice making chamber 25 may be provided in a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 21 to define an insulating space in which ice is made and stored, and the ice maker 252 may be mounted in the ice making chamber 25. In addition, the ice making chamber 25 may be configured to be opened and closed by the ice making chamber door 251.
The ice making chamber 25 may communicate with the dispenser 24, and thus, ice in the ice making chamber 25 may be dispensed by a manipulation of the dispenser 24.
Cold air generated in (or by) the freezing compartment evaporator 131 may be supplied into the ice making chamber 25 to perform an ice making operation in the ice maker 252. For this, an ice making passage 14 for supplying the cold air into the ice making chamber 25 may be provided in the cabinet 10. The ice making passage 14 may be provided between the outer case 101 and the inner case 102 and may be disposed by being buried in the insulating material. The ice making passage 14 may be disposed on one side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 21 at one side of the left and right side surfaces.
The ice making passage 14 may include a supply duct 141 for supplying the cold air into the ice making chamber 25 and a return duct 142 in which the heat-exchanged air in the ice making chamber 25 is disposed.
The supply duct 141 may extend from a rear end of the freezing compartment 13, in which the freezing compartment evaporator 131 is disposed, to one side surface of the refrigerating compartment 12. That is, in the state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed, the space, in which the freezing compartment evaporator 131 is disposed, and the inside of the ice making chamber 25 may communicate with each other to guide the cold air of the freezing compartment evaporator 131 to the ice making chamber 25.
The return duct 142 may extend from one side surface of the refrigerating compartment 12, which is in contact with the refrigerating compartment door 21 in the closed state, to a lower portion of the freezing compartment 13. That is, in the state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed, the freezing compartment 13 and the inside of the ice making chamber 25 may communicate with each other to guide the air, which is heat-exchanged for the ice making in the ice making chamber 25, to the freezing compartment 13.
A supply opening 141 a and a return opening 142 a, which are disposed at ends of the supply duct 141 and the return duct 142 constituting the ice making passage 14, respectively, may be opened at the side surface of the refrigerator compartment 12 adjacent to the refrigerator compartment door 21. The supply opening 141 a and the return opening 142 a may communicate with a passage connected to the ice making chamber 25 at the side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 21 when the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed.
The other end of the supply duct 141 may be opened at one wall surface of the inner case 102 to communicate with the space, in which the freezing compartment evaporator 131 is disposed, to define a duct inlet 141 b. The other end of the return duct 142 may be opened at one wall surface of the inner case 102 adjacent to a suction hole, through which the cold air is suctioned to a lower portion of the freezing compartment 13 (i.e., the freezing compartment evaporator 131).
Thus, in the state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed, the space, in which the ice making chamber 25, the freezing compartment 13, and the space, in which the freezing compartment evaporator 131 is disposed, communicate with each other, may be defined.
To provide such a structure, at least a portion of the ice making passage 14 (i.e., the supply duct 141 and the return duct 142) may be disposed on the side wall surface of the refrigerating compartment 12. Thus, the cold air flowing through the ice making passage 14 may penetrate into the refrigerating compartment 12.
The cold air transferred to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12 by the ice making passage 14 may not be large enough to cause supercooling or storage performance of the refrigerating compartment 12. However, when the defrosting operation for removing frost generated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is performed, the cold air transferred from the ice making passage 14 may affect the defrosting operation (S200). Particularly, in the case of natural defrosting, in which high-temperature air of the refrigerating compartment 12 is forcibly introduced into (or to) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 to remove the frost of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, efficiency of the defrosting operation (S200) may deteriorate due to the penetration of the cold air. Thus, during the defrosting operation, the filler heater 265, disposed on the filler 26, may operate to more efficiently perform the defrosting operation.
A structure of the filler 26 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the refrigerating compartment door of the refrigerator. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V′ of FIG. 1.
The filler 26 may be provided at the refrigerating compartment door 21, in which the ice making chamber 25 is defined, of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 disposed side by side on the left and right sides. The filler 26 may be provided at one end opposite to one end, on which the hinge device 23 is mounted, of both left and right ends. That is, the filler 26 may be provided at one end of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 adjacent to each other and be configured to shield a space (or shield a gap) between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 when the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 are closed.
The filler 26 may extend long in a vertical direction along one end of the refrigerating compartment door 21. In addition, the filler 26 may be rotatably connected to the refrigerating compartment door 21 by a connection member 262. The connection member 262 may be vertically provided in plurality. In addition, the connection member 262 may be provided with an elastic member so that, when the refrigerating compartment door 21 is opened, the filler 26 is folded into the refrigerating compartment door 21 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
A guide protrusion 261 may be disposed on an upper end of the filler 26. The guide protrusion 261 may be inserted into an opening groove of the filler guide 103 when the refrigerator compartment door 21 is closed. A surface on which the guide protrusion 261 and the filler guide 103 are in contact with each other may be rounded, and the filler 26 may be rotatably unfolded while the refrigerator compartment door 21 is closed.
When all of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 are closed, the filler 26 may be unfolded as illustrated in FIG. 5, and each of gaskets 27 provided on the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 may be in close contact with a front surface of the filler 26. Thus, the filler 26 may prevent the cold air of the refrigerating compartment 12 from leaking through between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 when the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 are closed.
The filler 26 may define an outer appearance and may include a filler case 263 filled with the insulating material therein, and a filler cover 264 defining a front surface of the filler case 263. The filler cover 264 may be made of a steel material and may be in contact with the gasket 27.
A filler heater 265 may be provided inside the filler case 263. The filler heater 265 may heat the filler cover 264 and may prevent dew condensation from occurring on the filler cover 264 and the gasket 27 that is in contact with the filler cover 264.
Although the dew condensation occurs between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21, which are relatively poorly insulated due to a temperature difference between the cold air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 and external air, the front surface of the filler 26, or one side of the gasket 27 that is contact with the filler 26, the filler 26, in particularly, the front surface of the filler 26 may be heated based on operation of the filler heater 265 to prevent the dew condensation from occurring.
The filler heater 265 may be configured as a heater made of a wire material and may be vertically disposed inside the filler 26. In addition, the filler heater 265 may be disposed in close contact with the front surface of the filler 26. In addition, the filler heater 265 may be disposed along a circumference of the filler 26 or be bent several times to define an overall length that is longer than a length of the filler 26 and may increase in contact area with the front surface of the filler 26.
An on/off operation of the filler heater 265 may be controlled by a controller 30. The filler heater 265 may detect a temperature of an external space, in which the refrigerator 1 is installed, which is detected by a temperature sensor 33 outside the refrigerator, to determine an operation period thereof. For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 33 outside the refrigerator increases, and a temperature difference with the refrigerating compartment 12 increases, the operation period of the filler heater 265 may be shortened to effectively prevent the dew condensation from occurring. In addition, since the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 increases when an operation time of the filler heater 265 is prolonged, the operation of the filler heater 265 may be controlled by the controller 30 at an optimal cycle.
While the refrigerating compartment 12 operates normally, the controller 30 may set and control the operation cycle according to the detected temperature of the external air, which is detected by the temperature sensor 33 outside the refrigerator, but in even the case, in which the natural defrosting operation of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is performed, the filler heater 265 may be turned on to more efficiently perform the natural defrosting operation of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121.
The operation of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a control signal in the refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating processes of performing the defrosting operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment.
The refrigerator 1 may operate so that the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13 are maintained to set temperatures in the normal operation state. That is, the controller 30 may control operations of the compressor 34, the refrigerating compartment fan 122, and the freezing compartment fan 132 according to the temperatures of the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13, which are detected by the temperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator 1 so that the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13 are maintained to a set temperature or temperature range.
The controller 30 may allow the filler heater 265 to operate in a set cycle according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 33 (outside the refrigerator 1), thereby preventing the dew condensation from occurring on an adjacent portion between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21. [S100]
While the normal operation of the refrigerator 1 is performed, moisture of food stored in the refrigerating compartment 12 or moisture introduced when the refrigerating compartment door 21 is opened or closed may be deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. In addition, when frost generated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is grown, cooling performance of the refrigerating compartment 12 may deteriorate. As a result, a defrosting operation (S200) of removing the frost generated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be performed.
According to this embodiment, in the defrosting operation (S200), the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may not be directly heated by a heater attached to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, but high-temperature air of the refrigerating compartment 12 may be supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 to remove the frost. Thus, the defrosting operation may be referred to as a natural defrosting operation (S200) so as to be distinguished from a defrosting operation in which the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is directly heated using a heater.
The defrosting operation (S200) may be performed at a set period to prevent the frost from being grown on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. For example, in the defrosting operation S200, the controller 30 may determine an appropriate time point by accumulating the operation time of the compressor 34 to input (or provide) a defrost signal. The defrosting operation (S200) may be performed every set period by the controller 30 and also may be set to a period based on the number of times of opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment door 21, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator and/or the defrosting temperature sensor 31 as well as the operating time of the compressor 34. [S210]
When a starting signal of the defrosting operation (S200) is input (or provided) from the controller 30, the controller 30 may stop the operation of the compressor 34 to stop the supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. When the supply of the cold air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is stopped, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is no longer lowered. Of course, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 may be switched to be supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator 131. In this case, the cold air may be supplied through the ice making passage 14 and also may allow ice to be made in the ice maker 252.
Also, when the compressor 34 is stopped, the controller 30 may turn on the refrigerating compartment fan 122. When the refrigerating compartment fan 122 is driven, air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously introduced into (or to) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. The temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 may be approximately 0° C. or more, which is higher than that of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Therefore, when supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may increase.
That is, as the refrigerating compartment fan 122 is driven, the high-temperature air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be introduced into (or to) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and then be discharged to the refrigerating compartment 12 by passing (or passing through) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. In addition, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 may be usually about 3° C. to about 5° C. When the high-temperature air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 is supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may increase, and thus, the frost generated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may melt and may be removed. [S220]
The controller 30 may turn on the filler heater 265 according to the input of the signal of the defrosting operation (S200). The filler heater 265 may operate while being turned on and off at a set period during the normal operation, but may be controlled to maintain the ON state during the defrosting operation (S200) by the controller 30.
When the filler heater 265 is turned on, the front surface of the filler 26 may be heated by the filler heater 265. At the same time, heat of the filler 26 may penetrate into the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and the refrigerating compartment 12 may be heated by the heat penetrated into the refrigerating compartment 12. The heated air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 by the operation of the refrigerating compartment fan 122.
That is, if the filler heater 265 is maintained in the ON state during the defrosting operation (S200), the frost of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be more effectively removed, and a time taken to reach the set temperature for completing the defrosting may be shortened.
During the defrosting operation (S200), when the supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is cut off, the filler heater 265 may be turned on to provide additional heat to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and at the same time, the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may allow the high-temperature air of the refrigerating compartment 12 to continuously pass through the refrigerating compartment fan 122 so that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases to remove the frost generated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. The filler heater 265 may be turned on simultaneously with the operation of turning off the compressor and turning on the refrigerating compartment fan. [S230]
The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may increase based on the continuous operation of the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122. The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31.
When the defrosting operation (S200) starts, the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may be maintained in the deposited state at a temperature below zero, but the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may gradually increase by the driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122 and the filler heater 265. In addition, the frost that has been deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be removed by beginning to be melted when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches about 0° C. or more.
The controller 30 may determine completion of the defrosting operation S200 through the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31. In the controller 30, when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 is lower than about 3° C. to about 5° C. corresponding to the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12, the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may be continuously maintained in the ON state.
When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches a set temperature, for example, about 3° C. to about 5° C., the controller 30 may determine that the frost deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is sufficiently removed so that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases and thus determine that the defrosting operation (S200) is completed. [S240]
When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches the set temperature, the controller 30 may turn off the filler heater 265 to complete the defrosting operation (S200) and finish the defrosting operation (S200). Also, when the filler heater 265 is stopped, the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also be stopped.
When the defrosting operation (S200) is completed, the operation may return to the normal operation to cool the refrigerating compartment 12. That is, driving of the compressor 34 may start to supply the cold air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, and driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also start to supply the cold air of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 into the refrigerating compartment 12.
The operation of the compressor 34 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may be controlled according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator 1 so that the refrigerating compartment 12 is maintained to the set temperature.
In the defrosting operation (S200), when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 increases up to an excessively high temperature at once, a storage state of the food stored in the refrigerating compartment 12 may not be maintained in an optimal state, and thus, the defrosting operation (S200′) may be divided into a plurality of processes.
Another embodiment in which the defrosting operation (S200′) is divided into the plurality of processes will be described. In another embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the foregoing embodiment, and a detailed description thereof may be omitted.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating processes of performing a defrosting operation of a refrigerator according to another embodiment.
As illustrated in the drawing, the refrigerator 1 may operate normally so that each of the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13 are maintained at a set temperature or a temperature range. For this, the controller 30 may control operations of the compressor 34, the refrigerating compartment fan 122, and the freezing compartment fan 132 according to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor inside the refrigerator 1. In addition, the controller 30 may control an operation of the filler heater 265 according to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor 33 outside the refrigerator 1 to prevent dew condensation from occurring. [S100]
The controller 30 may perform a defrosting operation (S200′) at an appropriate time point to prevent frost from being generated on the refrigerator compartment evaporator 121 and thereby to deteriorate cooling efficiency during the normal operation of the refrigerator 1. The defrosting operation (S200′) may include a first defrosting operation process 260, a rapid cooling operation process 270, and a second defrosting operation process 280, which are initially performed.
The controller 30 may input (or provide) a defrost signal by accumulating the operating time point of the compressor 34 to determine an appropriate time point for starting the defrosting operation (S200′). The defrosting operation (S200′) may be performed every set period by the controller 30 and also may be set based on the number of times of opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment door 21 or the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator or the defrosting temperature sensor 31 as well as the operating time of the compressor 34. [S261]
When starting the defrosting operation (i.e., a starting signal of the first defrosting operation process 260 is input from the controller 30), the controller 30 may stop the operation of the compressor 34 to stop the supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. When the supply of the cold air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is stopped, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is no longer lowered. Of course, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 may be switched to be supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator 131. In this case, the cold air may be supplied through the ice making passage 14 and also may allow ice to be made in the ice maker 252.
The controller 30 may turn on the refrigerating compartment fan 122. When the refrigerating compartment fan 122 is driven, air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously introduced to (or into) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Here, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 may be about 0° C. or more, which is higher than that of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Therefore, when supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may increase. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases, the frost deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may melt and may be removed.
The controller 30 may turn on the filler heater 265. The filler heater 265 may operate while being turned on and off at a set period during the normal operation (S100), but may be controlled to maintain the ON state during the first defrosting operation process 260 by the controller 30.
When the filler heater 265 is turned on, the front surface of the filler 26 may be heated by the filler heater 265. Also, at the same time, heat of the filler 26 may penetrate into the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and the refrigerating compartment 12 may be heated by the heat penetrated into the refrigerating compartment 12. In addition, the heated air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 by the operation of the refrigerating compartment fan 122.
If the filler heater 265 is maintained in the ON state during the first defrosting operation process 260, the frost of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be more effectively removed, and a time taken to reach the set temperature for completing the first defrosting operation process 260 may be shortened.
During the first defrosting operation process 260, when the supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is cut off, the filler heater 265 may be turned on to provide additional heat to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and at the same time, the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may allow the high-temperature air of the refrigerating compartment 12 to continuously pass through the refrigerating compartment fan 122 so that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases to remove the frost generated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. The filler heater may be turned on simultaneously with the operation of turning off the compressor and turning on the refrigerating compartment fan. [S263]
The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may increase based on the continuous operation of the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122. The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31.
When the first defrosting operation process 260 starts, the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may be maintained in the deposited state at a temperature below zero, but the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may gradually increase by the driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122 and the filler heater 265. In addition, the frost that has been deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be removed by beginning to be melted when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches about 0° C. or more.
The controller 30 may determine the completion of the first defrosting operation process 260 through the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31. In the controller 30, when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 is lower than about 3° C., the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may be continuously maintained in the ON state.
When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches a set temperature, for example, approximately 3° C., the controller 30 may determine that the first defrosting operation process 260 is sufficiently performed and may determine that the first defrosting operation process 260 is completed.
When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches a first set temperature, the controller 30 may turn off the filler heater 265 to complete the first defrosting operation process 260. The refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also be stopped. [S265]
If the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 continuously increases after the first defrosting operation process 260 is completed, the food stored in the refrigerating compartment 12 may be deteriorated or damaged. Thus, when the first defrosting operation process 260 is completed, the controller 30 may perform the rapid cooling operation process 270 for rapidly cooling the refrigerating compartment 12.
For the rapid cooling operation process 270, the controller may turn off the filler heater 265 and turn on the compressor 34 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 to supply the cold air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 to the refrigerating compartment 12.
The rapid cooling operation process 270 may be performed for a short time for efficiency of the subsequent second defrosting operation process 280 and may operate at a temperature that is significantly lower than a target temperature during the normal operation (S100). For example, the rapid cooling operation process 270 may be performed until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 is about −20° C. or less. The compressor 34 may operate at a maximum output to rapidly cool the refrigerating compartment 12.
The rapid cooling operation process 270 may be ended when the defrosting temperature sensor 31 or the temperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator 1 reaches the target temperature. Of course, if necessary, the rapid cooling operation process 270 may be performed for a set time regardless of the temperature. [S270]
When the rapid cooling operation process 270 is ended, the controller 30 may perform again a second defrosting operation process 280 for additionally removing the frost remaining on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121.
When the restarting of the defrosting operation (S200′) (i.e., a starting signal of the second defrosting operation process 280 is input from the controller 30), the controller 30 may stop the operation of the compressor 34 to stop the supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. When the supply of the cold air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is stopped, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is no longer lowered. Of course, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 may be switched to be supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator 131.
The controller 30 may turn on the refrigerating compartment fan 122. When the refrigerating compartment fan 122 is driven, air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously introduced into (or to) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Here, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 may be about 0° C. or more, which is higher than that of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Therefore, when supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may increase. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases, the frost deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may melt and may be removed. [S282]
The controller 30 may turn on the filler heater 265. The filler heater 265 may operate while being turned on and off at a set period during the normal operation (S100), but may be controlled to maintain the ON state during the second defrosting operation process 280 by the controller 30.
When the filler heater 265 is turned on, the front surface of the filler 26 may be heated by the filler heater 265. At the same time, heat of the filler 26 may penetrate into the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and the refrigerating compartment 12 may be heated by the heat penetrated into the refrigerating compartment 12. In addition, the heated air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 by the operation of the refrigerating compartment fan 122.
That is, if the filler heater 265 is maintained in the ON state during the second defrosting operation process 280, the frost of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be more effectively removed, and a time taken to reach the set temperature for completing the second defrosting operation process 280 may be shortened.
During the second defrosting operation process 280, when the supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is cut off, the filler heater 265 may be turned on to provide additional heat to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and at the same time, the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may allow the high-temperature air of the refrigerating compartment 12 to continuously pass through the refrigerating compartment fan 122 so that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases to remove the frost generated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. The filler heater 265 may be turned on simultaneously with the operation of turning off the compressor and turning on the refrigerating compartment fan. [S283]
The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may increase based on the continuous operation of the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122. The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31.
When the second defrosting operation process 280 starts, the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may be in a state in which the frost is deposited at a temperature below zero, but the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may gradually increase by the driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122 and the filler heater 265. In addition, the frost that has been deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be removed by beginning to be melted when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches about 0° C. or more.
The controller 30 may determine the completion of the second defrosting operation process 280 through the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31. In the controller 30, when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 is lower than a second set temperature, the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may be continuously maintained in the ON state.
When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches the second set temperature, for example, approximately 5° C., the controller 30 may determine that the second defrosting operation process 280 is sufficiently performed and may determine that the second defrosting operation process 280 is completed.
The second set temperature may be a temperature that is higher than the first set temperature and a temperature at which the removal of the frost on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is secured, and may be in a range in which the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 12 does not excessively increase.
Since the second set temperature of the second defrosting operation process 280 is higher than the first set temperature, the second defrosting operation process 280 may be performed for a time that is longer than that of the first defrosting operation process 260. [S284]
When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches a first set temperature, the controller 30 may turn off the filler heater 265 to complete the first defrosting operation process 260, i.e., the defrosting operation (S200′). Here, the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also be stopped. [S285]
When the defrosting operation (S200′) is completed, the operation may return to the normal operation (S100) to cool the refrigerating compartment 12. That is, the driving of the compressor 34 may start to supply the cold air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, and the driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also start to supply the cold air of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 into the refrigerating compartment 12.
The operation of the compressor 34 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may be controlled according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator 1 so that the refrigerating compartment 12 is maintained to the set temperature.
A change in state of the refrigerator during the defrosting operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the foregoing embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation state when the filler heater does not operate in the refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation state when the filler heater operates in the refrigerator according to an embodiment.
As illustrated in the drawings, when the filler heater 265 is not driven while the defrosting operation is being performed, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the defrosting operation may be performed for about 6 hours and then be ended so that the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches the set temperature (about 5° C.) at which the frost deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is completely removed.
However, as in this embodiment, when the defrosting operation (S200′) is performed, if the filler heater 265 is turned on, an additional amount of heat may be provided to the refrigerating compartment 12. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the defrosting operations 200 and 200′ may be performed for about 4 hours and then ended so that the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches the set temperature (about 5° C.) at which the frost deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is completely removed.
In detail, in the defrosting operation (S200′), the filler heater 265 may be turned on during the first defrosting operation process, and a temperature of the filler heater 265 and the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may continuously increase. The first defrosting operation process 260 may be performed until the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches a first set temperature T1 (approximately 3° C.), and the temperature of the filler heater may continuously increase to reach a first filter temperature T3 (about 8° C.).
After the first defrosting operation process 260 is ended, the rapid cooling operation process (S270) is performed so that the compressor 34 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 operate, and the filler heater 265 is turned off. Thus, the temperatures of the defrosting temperature sensor 31 and the filler heater 265 decrease.
When the rapid cooling operation process S270 is ended, the second defrosting operation process 280 may be performed. The filler heater 265 may be turned on during the second defrosting operation process 280, and the temperature of the filler heater 265 and the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may continuously increase. The second defrosting operation process 280 may be performed until the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches a first set temperature T2 (approximately 5° C.), and the temperature of the filler heater may continuously increase to reach a second filter temperature T4 (about 12° C.).
The second set temperature T2 may be relatively higher than the first set temperature T1. Thus, the second defrosting operation process 280 may be performed longer than the first defrosting operation process S260. Also, until the second defrosting operation step 280 is completed, the filler heater 265 may be continuously turned on to continuously provide heat to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12.
When the second defrosting operation step 280 is completed, the controller 30 may turn off the filler heater 265, and the compressor 34 and the refrigerator compartment fan 122 may be driven to cool the refrigerator compartment 12 again, and thus, the process may return again to the normal operation.
In the drawings, although the defrosting operations S200 and S200′ are performed at one time, the defrosting operations S200 and S200′ may be repeatedly performed at a set period by the controller 30.
The refrigerator and the method for controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment may have the following effects.
According to the embodiment, when the defrosting operation is performed to remove the frost formed on the refrigerating compartment evaporator, the filler heater may be turned on to provide the heat into the refrigerating compartment. Therefore, the air may be supplied into the refrigerating compartment, which is heated by the refrigerating compartment evaporator, due to the driving of the refrigerating compartment fan to improve the natural defrosting efficiency inside the refrigerating compartment.
That is, when compared to the manner according to the related art, in which the refrigerating compartment evaporator is directly heated by the heater through the defrosting operation, the power consumption may be significantly reduced. In addition, even in the case of the natural defrosting, the filler heater may be used to additionally apply the heat into the refrigerating compartment, and thus, the defrosting operation time may be reduced to reduce the power consumption and maintain the optimal state of the food in the refrigerating compartment.
Particularly, the filler heater may be disposed to prevent the dew condensation from occurring on the pair of refrigerating compartment doors and may be used for performing the defrosting operation as well as preventing the dew condensation from occurring on the refrigerating compartment doors to significantly improve the efficiency of the defrosting operation without adding the separate heater and changing the configuration of the refrigerator.
When the ice making chamber, in which the ice is made, is provided in the refrigerating compartment door, and the ice making passage for supplying the cold air of the freezing compartment evaporator to the ice making chamber is provided on the side surface of the cabinet, a portion of the ice making passage may be disposed on the wall surface of the refrigerating compartment to transfer the cold air to the inside of the refrigerator.
As described above, the cold air transferred to the inside of the refrigerator may not have a limitation in the general normal operation, but the defrosting time may become longer in the natural defrosting for forcibly supplying the air of the refrigerating compartment to heat the refrigerating compartment evaporator. The filer heater may be driven to supply a greater amount of heat than that of the cold air transferred through the ice making passage, and thus, even in the natural defrosting, the inside of the refrigerating compartment may be effectively heated to improve the efficiency of the defrosting operation.
That is, in this embodiment, when the defrosting operation is performed, the filler heater may be driven to prevent the defrosting operation efficiency from being deteriorated in even the structure, in which the ice maker is disposed in the refrigerating compartment door, and the ice making passage is disposed in the region of the refrigerating compartment, thereby effectively performing the defrosting operation.
The defrosting operation may be performed by dividing the first defrosting operation process, the quick cooling operation process, and the second defrosting operation process. In the first defrosting operation process and the second defrosting operation process, the heat may be applied to the inside of the refrigerating compartment by the filler heater. Particularly, in the second defrosting operation process in which the target set temperature is high, the target set temperature may be quickly reached by the filler heater, and also, the time taken to perform the second defrosting operation process, in which the target set temperature is relatively high, may be minimized to prevent the damage of the food while maintaining the defrosting performance.
Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which defrosting operation efficiency is improved to reduce power consumption, and a method for controlling the refrigerator.
Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a filler heater operates when a defrosting operation is performed to additionally provide heat during the defrosting operation, and a method for controlling the refrigerator.
Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a time taken to perform a defrosting operation is reduced in the refrigerator in which a cold air passage is provided toward an ice maker in a region of a refrigerating compartment, and a method for controlling the refrigerator.
In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet in which a refrigerating compartment cooled by cold air, which is supplied by a refrigerating compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment fan, and a freezing compartment cooled by cold air, which is supplied by a freezing compartment evaporator and a freezing compartment fan, are defined; a pair of doors configured to be opened and closed by rotation of the refrigerating compartment; a filler provided on one of the pair of doors to shield a gap between the pair of doors in a state in which the pair of doors are closed; a filler heater provided inside the filler; and a controller configured to control operations of the refrigerating compartment fan, the freezing compartment fan, the filler heater, and a compressor, wherein, when the refrigerating compartment evaporator performs a defrosting operation, the controller turns on the refrigerating compartment fan and the filler heater in state in that the compressor turns off so that heated air inside the refrigerating compartment is circulated to pass through the refrigerating compartment evaporator.
The filler heater may be turned on or off according to a temperature of external air, which is detected by a temperature sensor outside the refrigerator, and be maintained in the state of turned on during the defrosting operation.
The filler heater may be turned on when the defrosting operation starts and be turned off when the defrosting operation is ended.
The filler heater may be maintained in the state of being turned on until a temperature detected by a defrosting temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the evaporator reaches a set temperature.
When the defrosting operation is performed, the controller may be configured to: turn off the filter heater when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor reaches a first set temperature to quickly cool the refrigerating compartment; and turn on again the filler heater after the quick cooling operation is completed, to turn off the filler heater when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor reaches a second set temperature.
The second set temperature may be set to be higher than the first set temperature.
The first set temperature may be set to a temperature of about 3° C., the second set temperature may be set to a temperature of about 5° C.
When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor and the refrigerating compartment fan may be turned on.
When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor may operate for a set time at a maximum output.
When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor may operate until the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor is lower than a temperature during a normal operation.
The refrigerating compartment door may include: an ice making chamber in which an ice maker configured to make ice is accommodated, the ice making chamber being configured to define an insulation space; and a dispenser configured to communicate with the ice making chamber and dispense the made ice from the outside, wherein an ice making passage through which the freezing compartment and the ice making chamber may communicate with each other to supply the cool air for making the ice is provided in the cabinet.
At least a portion of the ice making passage may pass through a region of the refrigerating compartment.
The ice making passage may include: a supply duct configured to communicate with a space, in which the freezing compartment evaporator is disposed, so as to supply the cold air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator to the ice making chamber; and a return duct configured to communicate with the freezing compartment so as to collect air inside the ice making chamber into the freezing compartment, wherein openings of the supply duct and the return duct may be exposed through a wall surface of the refrigerating compartment and communicate with the inside of the ice making chamber in the state, in which the refrigerating compartment door is closed.
When the defrosting operation is performed, a refrigerant discharged from the compressor may be supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator, and the cold air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator may be supplied to the ice making chamber through the supply duct.
The filler heater may be configured to supply heat into the refrigerating compartment in the turn-on state.
The heat of the filler heater may be greater than that due to the cool air transferred into the refrigerating compartment through the ice making passage.
The filler may include a filler cover of which at least a portion is made of a steel material, and the filler heater may be in contact with the filler cover to heat the filler cover.
In another embodiment, a method for controlling a refrigerator, in which a refrigerating compartment is opened and closed by a pair of refrigerating compartment doors, and a filler configured to shield a gap between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors in a state in which the pair of refrigerating compartment doors are closed, includes: inputting a defrosting signal so that a defrosting operation starts during a normal operation; turning off a compressor according to the input of the defrosting signal and turning on a refrigerating compartment fan to circulate air inside the refrigerating compartment so as to pass through an evaporator; turning on the filler heater to supply heat into the refrigerating compartment; maintaining the turn-on state of the filler heater until a temperature detected by a defrosting temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the evaporator reaches a set temperature; and turning off the filler heater to end a defrosting operation so as to return to the normal operation when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor reaches the set temperature.
When the normal operation is performed, the compressor and the fan may be turned off so that the refrigerating compartment is maintained to a set temperature.
When the normal operation is performed, the filler hater may be controlled according to an external temperature.
The defrosting operation may include: performing a primary defrosting operation to apply heat until the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor reaches a first set temperature in the state in which the filler heater is turned on; performing a quick cooling operation to turn off the filler heater when the primary defrosting operation is completed and to cool the inside of the refrigerator for a set time in a state in which the compressor is turned on; perform a secondary defrosting operation to turn off the compressor when the quick cooling operation is completed and apply heat until the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor reaches a second set temperature higher than the detected first set temperature in the state in which the filler heater is turned on.
The second set temperature may be set to be higher than the first set temperature.
When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor may be driven at a maximum output.
The secondary defrosting operation may be performed for a longer time than that for the primary defrosting operation.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet that supports a refrigerating compartment to be cooled by air from a refrigerating compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment fan, and a freezing compartment to be cooled by air from a freezing compartment evaporator and a freezing compartment fan;

a pair of refrigerating compartment doors configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment;

a filler provided on one of the doors to shield a gap between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors when the doors are closed relative to the refrigerating compartment;

a filler heater provided in the filler; and

a controller configured to control operation of the refrigerating compartment fan, the freezing compartment fan, the filler heater, and a compressor,

wherein, when a defrosting operation is to be performed, the controller is to turn on the refrigerating compartment fan and the filler heater while the compressor is turned off such that air inside the refrigerating compartment is to pass the refrigerating compartment evaporator.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor to detect temperature of external air outside of the refrigerator, and

wherein the controller is configured to control the filler heater to be turned on or off based on the detected temperature of the external air, and

the controller is configured to control the filler heater to maintain being turned on during the defrosting operation.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the filler heater to be turned on during the defrosting operation and to be turned off when the defrosting operation is to end.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, comprising a defrosting temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator, and

the controller is configured to control the filler heater to maintain to be turned on until the detected temperature reaches a set temperature.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein, when the defrosting operation is to be performed, the controller is configured to:

control a quick cool operation of the refrigerating compartment by turning the filter heater off when the detected temperature reaches a first set temperature;

control the filler heater to turn the filler heater on again after completing the quick cooling operation, and

control the filler heater to turn the filler heater off when the detected temperature reaches a second set temperature.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the second set temperature is higher than the first set temperature.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the first set temperature is set to approximately 3° C., and the second set temperature is set to approximately 5° C.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein, when the quick cooling operation is to be performed, the controller is configured to control the compressor and the refrigerating compartment fan to be turned on.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, when the quick cooling operation is to be performed, the controller is configured to control the compressor to operate for a set time at a maximum output.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein, when the quick cooling operation is to be performed, the controller is configured to control the compressor to operate until the detected temperature is less than a target temperature.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein one of the refrigerating compartment doors comprises:

an ice making chamber to accommodate an ice maker configured to make ice; and

a dispenser configured to communicate with the ice making chamber and dispense the ice,

wherein an ice making passage is provided between the freezing compartment and the ice making chamber to supply the air for making the ice.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the ice making passage passes through the refrigerating compartment.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the ice making passage comprises:

a supply duct configured to supply the air from the freezing compartment evaporator to the ice making chamber; and

a return duct configured to provide air from inside the ice making chamber to the freezing compartment,

wherein openings of the supply duct and the return duct are exposed at a wall surface of the refrigerating compartment and communicate with the ice making chamber when the one of the refrigerating compartment doors is closed.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein, when the defrosting operation is to be performed, a refrigerant discharged from the compressor is supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator, and

the air from the freezing compartment evaporator is supplied by the supply duct to the ice making chamber.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the filler heater is configured to supply heat into the refrigerating compartment.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the heat of the filler heater is greater than air transferred into the refrigerating compartment through the ice making passage.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the filler comprises a filler cover made of a steel material, and

the filler heater is in contact with the filler cover to heat the filler cover.

18. A method for controlling a refrigerator having a refrigerating compartment to be opened and closed by a pair of refrigerating compartment doors, and having a filler configured to shield a gap between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors when the pair of refrigerating compartment doors are closed, the method comprising:

providing a defrosting signal to start a defrosting operation;

controlling a compressor to be off based on the defrosting signal and controlling a refrigerating compartment fan to circulate air in the refrigerating compartment so as to pass an evaporator;

controlling the filler heater to supply heat to the refrigerating compartment;

maintaining the filler heater to be on until a temperature detected by a defrosting temperature sensor of the evaporator reaches a set temperature; and

controlling the filler heater to be off to end the defrosting operation when the detected temperature reaches the set temperature.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the defrosting operation comprises:

performing a first defrosting operation to apply heat until the detected temperature reaches a first set temperature while the filler heater is turned on;

performing a quick cooling operation to turn the filler heater off when the first defrosting operation is completed and to cool the refrigerator for a set time when the compressor is turned on; and

perform a second defrosting operation to turn off the compressor when the quick cooling operation is completed and apply heat until the detected temperature reaches a second set temperature higher than the first set temperature while the filler heater is turned on.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the performing of the second defrosting operation is a longer time than the performing of the first defrosting operation.